§ 86. Mr. MILLSasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that men entitled to a bonus after seven years' service in the ordnance factories at Woolwich are in some cases being refused; that Mr. W. Fairley, late of the smiths' shop, Royal Gun Factory, has been refused his bonus on discharge after seven years' service: and, if so, will he state upon what grounds this has been refused?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Lieut-Colonel Sir R. Sanders)The question of allowing absences due to the short-time system in the ordnance factories at Woolwich to count as qualifying service towards the compassionate gratuity under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, is under considera- 1801 tion, and a decision will be announced shortly. Mr. Fairley is one of the men affected.
§ Mr. MILLSWhy should a Measure like this come under the consideration of the Government when there has been an automatic rule in the Arsenal factories for very many years? I could give the hon. and gallant Gentleman half a dozen cases of men who entered——?
§ 87. Captain GEEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of altering the words, "Service no longer required, "at present being used on discharge notices at the Royal Arsenal, to the words, "Owing to reduction of establishment "in view of the fact that the former phrase seriously handicaps a man when applying for work at other firms?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThis matter has already been considered and, so far as I am aware, all discharge notices at Woolwich which are necessitated by reduction of establishment are being worded so as to make that fact clear. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend will give mo particulars of any 'branch where this course is not now being followed, I shall be glad to look into the matter.
§ Captain GEEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I have been in correspondence with the War Office, aid they have refused to alter the wording? As a result 15 members who have been discharged from the Arsenal have been refused employment by civilian firms, and I would ask my hon. Friend to get the wording altered, for as it now stands it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Sir R.SANDERSIf my hon and gallant Friend will bring specific cases to the notice of my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary he will look into them.
§ 88. Captain GEEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the gratuity on discharge from Woolwich Arsenal after seven years' service has been paid to the clerical staff of the Naval Ordnance, Woolwich, and is being withheld from the clerical staff of the Ordnance Department and the ordnance factories; and will he state why this discrimination has been made?
§ Sir R. SANDERSNo, Sir; I am assured that no discrimination has been exercised against War Department employés as compared with Admiralty employés.
§ Captain GEEMay I send a list of over 200 men who have received the gratuity from the naval authorities, whilst those discharged by the military authorities have not been paid the gratuities?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThat is just what we wish the hon. and gallant Gentleman would do; we cannot find these cases.